On November 13, the Gorkut ata International Film Festival started at the Mukam Palace of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan.

The main purpose of the international film forum, held with the participation of representatives of the Turkic states, is to promote cooperation in the field of cinematography, develop cinematography, and familiarize the world community with the culture of the Turkic peoples.

The participation of well-known film critics, actors and experts of the Russian Federation together with the Turkic states in this event testifies to the large-scale cooperation in this direction.

It should be recalled that this event is taking place in Ashgabat in connection with the announcement of the ancient Turkmen city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024. Last year, at the III Turkic World Film Festival, Turkmenistan received a statuette "Crane" – a symbol of passing the baton of the Gorkut ata festival.

Our state attaches great importance to the development of the cinematography industry, the creation and screening of domestic films, the holding of film forums, and the participation of Turkmen specialists in international events held abroad. Last year, the Arkadag city, founded on the initiative of the Arkadag Hero, successfully hosted the Arkadagy säheri International Film Festival, which contributed to the further development of international cooperation in this field.

The opening ceremony of the film festival was attended by representatives of ministries and departments, diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, public organizations, mass media, residents and guests of the capital, as well as actors, directors, producers, cinematographers of the Turkic states.

Traditionally, before the ceremony, the guests of honor walked along the red carpet. The audience greeted the jury members of the feature and documentary film competition with loud applause. Then, one after another, representatives of delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bashkortostan (RF), the Republic of Tyva (RF), the Chuvash Republic (RF), Moldova, Turkey, Uzbekistan, as well as our country followed.

An exhibition was opened in the festively decorated foyer of the palace, which allows you to take an excursion into the history of Turkmen cinema.

Turkmen folk melodies and songs performed by Bakhshi-sazandars brought a bright national flavor to the festive atmosphere.

The film festival opened with the literary and musical composition "Türkmen dünýäsi", performed by artists of the Main Academic Drama Theater of Turkmenistan named after the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi and dance groups of the country.

The participants listened with deep attention to the congratulatory Address of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the participants of the Gorkut ata International Film Festival. In particular, the message notes that as a result of the wise, far-sighted policy of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, our Motherland has become a land of friendship, brotherhood, and international cooperation. As you know, at a meeting of the permanent council of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), 2024 was declared "The Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world – Makhtumkuli Fragi", and the ancient city of Anau is the cultural capital of the Turkic world for this year.

"The holding of the Gorkut ata International Film Festival in Ashgabat with the participation of representatives of the Turkic states during the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great master of the word in the year "The Storehouse of Reason Makhtumkuli Fraga" is of great importance. Today, all conditions have been created in our white marble capital for the organization of international festivals, concerts and forums at a high level. The accumulated experience of our country in this field is recognized all over the world," the Head of state emphasized in his Address.

In his congratulatory speech, Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev noted that through the film festival, the organization seeks to demonstrate to the world the values of the Turkic world from the point of view of the cinematic dimension and at the same time develop cooperation in this field, expressing heartfelt gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan for the high organizational level of the film festival.

The celebration continued with the screening of the video "Gorkut ata", prepared by the Association "Turkmenfilm" named after Oguzkhan.

Since ancient times, the Turkmen land has been considered a hotbed of culture, art, science and education. She became famous for great personalities who left an indelible mark on history. This is the land where such famous Seljuk sultans as Togrul beg, Chagry beg, Alp Arslan, Malik Shah, Sultan Sanjar lived. Today, the national cultural heritage inherited from our glorious ancestors is multiplying.

The naming of Oguzkhan to the Türkmenfilm Association is a clear evidence of the high reverence for our courageous ancestors and our great history.

Then a boy in a national costume brings to the stage the transitional sign of the festival – the statuette "Crane", which Turkmenistan will present to Kazakhstan this year.

Next, the jury of the feature and documentary film competition was presented to the guests.

Regular cultural dialogue fulfills a special mission – it is the establishment of a comprehensive, multifaceted interaction of cultures, the popularization of the richest spiritual and historical heritage of the Turkic peoples, modern achievements in the field of art, cinematography, and the encouragement of broad creative contacts.

The performance of the creative teams "Meñli" and "Aşgabat", saturated with the spirit of national traditions combined with modern trends, vividly reflected the connection between the past and the present.

Songs from Turkmen films added a bright note to the atmosphere of the festival of cinematography.

Then there was a screening of short videos that introduced the guests to the feature films and documentaries participating in the Gorkut ata Film Festival.

It should be noted that the cultural action is aimed at strengthening and preserving human values for future generations.

The participants were also presented with a video about films previously shot by the Oguzkhan Türkmenfilm Association.

The hall was greeted with friendly applause by the performance of the Miras folklore group with the kushtdepdi dance, recognized at the world level as part of the universal cultural heritage.

The first day of the film forum ended with incendiary performances by cultural and artistic figures of the country.

As part of the event, the foreign delegation visited the ancient Turkmen city of Anau and the mosque of Seyit Dzhemaletdin.

This medieval monument, whose mosaic decor testified to the high skill of local builders and the development of architectural art of that time, was severely damaged as a result of the devastating earthquake of 1948, but still remains one of the most attractive places for pilgrims from all over the world.

As you know, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov dedicated his book "Anau culture from the depths of Millennia" to the Anau culture. The work, which has absorbed invaluable information, has become a symbolic gift to the Turkmen people this year, which is taking place under the sign of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Makhtumkuli Fraga and declared by the decision of TURKSA the year of this great poet and thinker of the Turkic world.

The guests also visited the sights of the white marble capital of the Turkmen state.

In the modern era, Ashgabat, rightfully recognized as the "pearl" of Asia, has turned into one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in the world. The priority of the innovative concept of the development of the capital, implemented on the initiative of the Honored Architect of Turkmenistan – Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and worthily continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the state policy of the Motherland in general, is to create optimally favorable conditions for people's lives.

For three days, domestic and foreign films will be presented to a wide audience at the Aşgabat cinema in the capital, the Watan and Turkmenistan cinema and concert centers.

The program of the second day of the film festival includes a master class of filmmakers for students of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture. In addition, on the same day, a meeting of cinematographers from TURKSOY member countries and an excursion to the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex will take place at the Aşgabat hotel.

Thus, the power of art becomes a miracle that unites hearts, and the events taking place within the framework of the Gorkut ata International Film Festival will contribute to the further strengthening of friendship and brotherhood between peoples, to the development of cultural cooperation.

Source: State News Agency